ICPC arrest Gov. Oshiomole’s point man over tax

The not too vibrant Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission, ICPC, have arrested Philip Shuaibu, the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly for Tax and Forgery. The All Progressive Congress, APC, strong man in the state House of Assembly is also the point man and die hard loyalist of Governor Adams Oshiomole. With him in the house all the executive bills sent to the legislature not only sailed through but with the speed of light.

According to press release by ICPC, the crime was purportedly committed before Shuaibu stood for election that brought him to House of Assembly in 2007. In the charge list with reference number 8/ICPC/l/13. The anti graft agency alleged that in November 2006, he deceived the Internal Revenue Board of Edo State by providing false information’s when he applied for his income tax clearance certificate.

He was also accused of false statement he knowingly made to the Internal Revenue officers in Abuja in 2006, that he was an employee of Zaknote Nigeria Ventures.

The charges read thus, “Making false statement knowingly to the officers of the Commission contrary to Section 25(1) (a) and punishable under Section (1) (1) of ICPC Act. Making false statement knowingly to the officers of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, which is also punishable under the ICPC Act.

However, the lawmakers have been granted bail. When contacted, his press secretary did not pick his call neither did he reply to this reporter’s text message. The embattled Majority Leader have been running helter skelter to powers that be so as not to be jailed, it was alleged that he has been sending emissaries to Oba of Benin and APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for a soft landing.